Pregnant women exposed to nitrates through household drinking water had, on average, babies that weighed ten grams less than women with no exposure to nitrates in drinking water. High levels of nitrate in tap water can cause infant methemoglobinemia, a fatal condition in newborns.
A new study reports trace amounts of lithium in drinking water may slow death rates in people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers also discovered rates of obesity and diabetes are also lower in areas where lithium is present in the water supply.